TY - JOUR
T1 - An exploratory study into whether self-monitoring improves adherence to daily flossing among dental patients
AU - Suresh, Ruby
AU - Jones, Katharine
AU - Newton, Jonathan Timothy
AU - Asimakopoulou, Koula
PY - 2012/12
Y1 - 2012/12
N2 - Objectives: This exploratory study evaluated the effectiveness of an action-control behavioral intervention on adherence to dental flossing in patients with periodontal disease. Action control, that is, monitoring one's behavior and evaluating it against a self-set standard, has been suggested as a self-regulatory strategy that can assist people who intend to engage in behavioral change. Methods: In a single-center, single-blind prospective trial, 73 dental patients received a behavioral intervention, which was either matched or mismatched to their stage of behavioral change. Through responses to a standardized self-report measure, participants were classified either as motivational (i.e., not ready to change) or volitional (i.e., contemplating change) with regard to dental flossing. The intervention consisted of a simple self-monitoring tool for dental flossing in the form of a diary. Flossing frequency, dental plaque, and bleeding scores were measured before and at 4 weeks postintervention. Results: Flossing frequency, dental plaque, and bleeding scores improved (P < 0.001) in both stage-matched and stage-mismatched patients. Conclusions: A brief behavioral intervention enhances adherence to dental flossing, regardless of participants' stage of change. Keeping a flossing diary can increase dental flossing and reduce plaque and bleeding scores in patients with periodontal disease, in the short term.
AB - Objectives: This exploratory study evaluated the effectiveness of an action-control behavioral intervention on adherence to dental flossing in patients with periodontal disease. Action control, that is, monitoring one's behavior and evaluating it against a self-set standard, has been suggested as a self-regulatory strategy that can assist people who intend to engage in behavioral change. Methods: In a single-center, single-blind prospective trial, 73 dental patients received a behavioral intervention, which was either matched or mismatched to their stage of behavioral change. Through responses to a standardized self-report measure, participants were classified either as motivational (i.e., not ready to change) or volitional (i.e., contemplating change) with regard to dental flossing. The intervention consisted of a simple self-monitoring tool for dental flossing in the form of a diary. Flossing frequency, dental plaque, and bleeding scores were measured before and at 4 weeks postintervention. Results: Flossing frequency, dental plaque, and bleeding scores improved (P < 0.001) in both stage-matched and stage-mismatched patients. Conclusions: A brief behavioral intervention enhances adherence to dental flossing, regardless of participants' stage of change. Keeping a flossing diary can increase dental flossing and reduce plaque and bleeding scores in patients with periodontal disease, in the short term.
KW - compliance
KW - dental floss
KW - oral hygiene
KW - patient adherence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84859103137&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2011.00274.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2011.00274.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 22316077
AN - SCOPUS:84859103137
VL - 72
SP - 1
EP - 7
JO - Journal of Public Health Dentistry
JF - Journal of Public Health Dentistry
SN - 0022-4006
IS - 1
ER -